Explore the Women's CPL 2024 review, highlighting standout performances, thrilling matches, and strategic insights. Discover how Barbados Royals defended their title and the players who influenced the season's outcomes
A Dominant Campaign for Barbados Royals
The Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024 concluded with a thrilling finish as the Barbados Royals defended their title, claiming their second WCPL trophy in a row by beating Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in a low-scoring, edge-of-the-seat final on August 29 in Tarouba. The Royals, led by Hayley Matthews, had a near-perfect tournament, losing just one of their five matches. This season was packed with standout individual performances, team dynamics, and plenty of moments that kept both bulls and bears of the traders engaged, as they profited from UP trades and Down trades.
Top Performers: Players Who Made the Difference
- Hayley Matthews (Barbados Royals): Matthews was the undisputed star of WCPL 2024, winning the Player of the Tournament award. She amassed 147 runs at an average of 49 and took 11 wickets—the most in the tournament—at an economy rate of 4.6. Her record-breaking performances included the best bowling figures (4/14) and the most fours in an innings (12).
- Erin Burns (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Burns was a standout batter in a struggling Warriors side, finishing as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 172 runs at an average of 57.33. She struck at a rate of 123.74 on slow pitches, showcasing her adaptability and skill. Burns’ back-to-back fifties and her aggressive strike rate of 163 in one innings against TKR made her one of the most valuable stocks of the tournament.
- Aaliyah Alleyne (Barbados Royals): Alleyne saved her best for the final, where her 4/21 performance helped Barbados Royals secure the title. With nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.00, she played a crucial role in her team’s success, with her stocks showing significant upward movement, particularly in the knockout stages.
- Shabnim Ismail (Guyana Amazon Warriors): The veteran pacer finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with nine wickets at a stunning economy rate of 4.25. Ismail’s best figures (4/16) came against the Royals in the opening match, proving she still has the ability to turn games around. Those who invested in her stocks early were rewarded handsomely.
Disappointments of the Tournament
- Jess Jonassen (Trinbago Knight Riders): Jonassen had an underwhelming tournament with both bat and ball. She managed only four wickets in 18 overs and 46 runs at a strike rate of 95.83. This inconsistency caused her stocks to plummet, and those who predicted her struggles benefited from trading down.
- Lauren Winfield-Hill (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Winfield-Hill, the Warriors' opener, could not find form, scoring just 79 runs across five matches at a strike rate of 83.15. Her fluctuating performances led to erratic trading activity, with many opting to buy her down stocks.
- Natasha McLean (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Starting with a promising 17-ball 28, McLean's form nosedived, ending the tournament with just 40 runs in four innings. Her inconsistency made her a risky stock for most of the traders.
- Kycia Knight (Barbados Royals): Knight's forgettable campaign saw her score only 50 runs at a strike rate below 80, often struggling to build momentum. Her stocks reflected this poor form, and traders made profits by adding her down stocks to their portfolios.
Memorable Matches: Drama on the Field and Key Performers
- Trinbago Knight Riders vs. Barbados Royals: Jemimah Rodrigues was the hero for Trinbago Knight Riders as she guided them to a spot in the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League final. Chasing 131 for a place in the final, the Knight Riders were in big trouble at 43/3 before Rodrigues stepped up with an unbeaten 59 off 50 balls. This dress rehearsal for the final saw the Knight Riders capitalize on sloppy fielding by the Royals and superb bowling in the PowerPlay that dismantled the Royals’ top order. Chamari Athapaththu’s 70 off 63 helped the Royals reach 130/7, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Rodrigues and the Knight Riders from sealing a memorable win.
- Final: Barbados Royals vs. Trinbago Knight Riders: The final was a low-scoring thriller where Barbados Royals' tactical depth came to the fore. Aaliyah Alleyne's 4/21 was pivotal, and Matthews' all-around brilliance ensured a four-wicket victory. The game saw significant movements in stocks, particularly for players like Matthews, Alleyne, and Rodrigues, making it one of the most exciting matches of the season.
- Trinbago Knight Riders vs. Guyana Amazon Warriors: This match showcased the Knight Riders' ability to bounce back after early losses. Erin Burns’ heroics and Shabnim Ismail’s consistent wicket-taking created an active environment, benefiting the most traded stocks of both the best and worst performers, making the match one of the best.
Trading Insights: Strategic Moves in WCPL 2024
The Women's CPL 2024 showcased the power of strategic trading, where savvy traders leveraged both UP and DOWN stocks to achieve significant profits. Star performers like Matthews, Burns, and Ismail were consistently in demand, while sharp traders capitalized on underperformers like Jonassen and Winfield-Hill to profit from their down stocks. This season highlighted the importance of understanding pitch conditions, player matchups, and form trends—essential factors for making well-informed trading decisions that lead to big wins.
Beyond raising the bar for women's cricket, the Women's CPL 2024 provided a vibrant arena for fantasy sports enthusiasts and stock traders alike. With its thrilling matches and standout performances, the tournament underscored the growing synergy between cricket and fantasy sports. As the WCPL continues to gain prominence, platforms like Sixergame are set to play a pivotal role in enhancing fan engagement and participation, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.